Dietary Xenobiotics Derived from Food Processing: Association with Fecal Mutagenicity and Gut Mucosal Damage

Abstract

Whereas the mechanisms underlying the association of toxic dietary xenobiotics and cancer risk are not well established, it is plausible that dietary pattern may affect the colon environment by enhancing or reducing exposure to mutagens. This work aimed to investigate the association between xenobiotics intake and different stages of intestinal mucosal damage and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and examine whether these associations may be mediated by altered intestinal mutagenicity. This was a case control study with 37 control subjects, 49 patients diagnosed with intestinal polyps, and 7 diagnosed with CRC. Lifestyle, dietary, and clinical information was registered after colonoscopy. For xenobiotics intake estimation the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC) and the Computerized Heterocyclic Amines Resource for Research in Epidemiology of Disease (CHARRED) databases were used. The mutagenicity of fecal supernatants was assayed by the Ames test and light microscopy was used for the presence of aberrant crypt formation. Among all the potential carcinogens studied, the polyp group showed higher intakes of ethanol and dibenzo (a) anthracene (DiB(a)A). Besides, intakes between 0.75 and 1.29 µg/d of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were related with a higher risk of belonging to the polyp group. On the contrary, an intake of wholegrain cereals greater than 50 g/d was associated with a reduction in the relative risk of belonging to the polyp group. Heterocyclic amines (HAs) such as 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo (4,5,b) pyridine (PhIP) were associated with an increased level of mutagenicity in polyps. This study is of great interest for the identification of possible therapeutic targets for the early prevention of colon cancer through diet.

Associations of dietary factors and xenobiotic intake with faecal microbiota composition according to the presence of intestinal mucosa damage

“…These findings could help to support the possible relationship between alcohol intake and the increased risk of intestinal polyps development. 26 In the control subjects, volunteers with intake of total polyphenols ≥650 mg day −1 and or calcium intake <900 mg day −1 revealed an increased abundance of Veillonellaceae. A decreased abundance of the genus Veillonella , a member of the family Veillonellaceae, has been previously associated with gut mucosal damage in humans.…”

“…Human samples of faeces and anamnesis, and analytical data were also collected at the time of recruitment, as described elsewhere. 26 A total of 60 volunteers for which dietary information and faecal samples were available were included in the study. According to the screening colonoscopy results, volunteers were classified as controls not showing any alteration of the intestinal mucosa ( n = 25), or polyps ( n = 35) in the case of those volunteers showing the presence of one or more intestinal polyps in the colonic mucosa.…”

“…From the study conducted by Martínez Góngora et al : 49 amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo(4,5- b )pyridine (PhIP) ≥40 ng day −1 and 2-amino-3,8 dimethylimidazo (4,5, f ) quinoxaline (MeIQx) ≥50 ng day −1 . Moreover, those dietary variables showing significant associations ( p < 0.05) or closeness to significance ( p < 0.10) with shifts in the risk of being in the group of volunteers diagnosed with polyps in a previous study of our research team conducted with the same sample of volunteers were also included: 26 soluble pectin ≥0.57 g day −1 , flavonoids ≥82.18 mg day −1 , other polyphenols ≥32.15 mg day −1 , nitrites ≥1.69 mg day −1 , dibenzo (a) anthracene (DiB(a)A) ≥0.07 μg day −1 and total PAH ≥0.75 μg day −1 .…”

Impact on Fecal Microbiota and Health-Related Markers of an Intervention Focused on Improving Eating Behavior in People at Risk of Food Insecurity

“…Volunteers rated each item on an intensity scale ranging from 0 to 3, with a maximum possible score of 63 points. The severity of depressive symptoms was categorized as minimal (0-13 points), mild (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19), moderate (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28), or severe (29-63) using previously established references [59,60].…”

“…Recent literature has shown that processed foods have a negative impact on dietary quality and health due to the poor nutrient density, their high additive content, and association with higher intakes of sugars and trans-fatty acids [14]. Sugar-sweetened beverages and processed meats [14,15] have been associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases including colorectal cancer [16][17][18]. Along with that, the scarce consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains may lead to a reduced intake of fiber or (poly)phenols, which have been identified as key players in microbiota modulation in addition to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [17,19,20].…”